The Lotus Exige Cup 430 Is a Car Like No Other

Lotus have finally done it - mated their most powerful engine with the fabulous Exige chassis. But are the results as good as we'd hope for?
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[@Lukec4ge]

Incredible. I’m wanting a Lotus more and more after seeing all your vids on them.

[@boots_n_coots]

Good job James conveying the nature of this beastly little beast. I can see clearly how difficult it will be to keep one's head on, when the animal is yanking on the leash! Thanks for the drive and congrats to Lotus as well.

[@englishbybarnes9731]

Jay Emm thank you for your interesting and genuine Lotus commentary.

[@fernando1018]

I have G2 Exige, and love to have a V6 one, but this is not only the fastest, this color is just GORGEOUS! what an amazing car!

[@GohardGTRSCars]

I am the owner of a Cup 430 which I track very often and I tell you: It is a UNIQUE and SO MUCH FUN car!

[@Drifty325i]

Awesome review of and awesome car! right up there with a GT3 on my want level. Lotus are nailing it at the moment

[@KannX]

Hello Jay! Good job with the review. I just love how Lotus is upgrading their models. They becoming better and better. And now in my opinion Evora 430 and Exige 430 are proper supercars. Great cars. Simple, powerful and agile. LOVE IT! Aaand this Liquid Yellow paintjob is sick!

[@StefABtv]

*wow that thing is crazy! I thought the exige 350 sport was insane! Great video mate*

[@happy-mq6rt]

Korean sub♡

[@amphilbey]

Cracking video Jay, think that’s probably the best so far and definitely the most entertaining. Not easy to capture the intensity of a drive on film but you did it.

[@JayEmmOnCars]

Thankyou!

[@m3petem3]

New to the channel but love your unpolished style, I'm hooked. Love the Lotus 430.... Now to look at the figures .

[@jimsmith9912]

Thanks again Jay Emm. I'm getting to love watching your reviews. I have an Exige 350 and love it, but did not know what to buy next (in a year or two). Now I know. Thanks for confirm it. An awesome car at 3.2 seconds. Great stuff. Thanks for the review. Regards, Jim.

[@pragmatist165]

Yeh Jay I was smiling all the time .. a lot mate.

[@stefanl.7586]

So did you get the 430 yet?

[@Little6]

Lotus should hire this man. Great review! I love Lotus.

[@pragmatist165]

yep he would have no peer.

[@jamesr.epstein]

My son just bought a used Elise. 07'. I , his Dad at 79yo was allowed to drive it. I've driven in my time many fast cars etc. Aston Martin's etc. This Elise went to the very top of the heap. I was totally impressed . Wow!

[@conceptheroes7879]

Great viddie JayEmm. I LOVE Lotus cars. I bought an Elise S2 Sports Racer from Bell and Covill last year and have to say, the guys there are excellent. You are right about the forecourt at B & C... it makes me salivate every time I go there. I am seriously thinking about going for an Exige but will have to trade in my Elise which will be heart breaking! Perhaps a test drive is in order. :)

[@adampetten5349]

Awesomely crazy bit of kit!!

[@martyreyo4379]

Another great review excellent explanations!!

[@krisclemente9158]

"It's not scary, it's intense"

[@King_Dragon_13]

Can’t wait to get my exige. I’ve always loved lotus ever since I saw a Elise in person. Only a few nationwide here for sale so it won’t be too cheap

[@MassiveLib]

My wife had her horse just down the road from this garage and this was the first time I noticed the Elise. I thought what the hell is that sexy little number.. I still daydream of buying one and getting them at this garage to give it the once over. Then tearing down to the lights towards Guildford.

[@LegoYodaX]

Great video :) love the lotus coverage.

[@JayEmmOnCars]

Thanks! I'm trying now the weather is getting a little better

[@michaelstallard8563]

Fantastic review, what a car.

[@colin5577]

Great look at the car. Thanks!

[@LoanwordEggcorn]

Great review. Thanks mate!

[@user-wo7rp6bc6t]

great review

[@JayEmmOnCars]

Thanks!

[@Convisis]

Astonishing car. Another great review.

[@JayEmmOnCars]

Thanks

[@andrewoats3620]

Love the subtitles.

[@benhumphrey6890]

Brilliant review!

[@JayEmmOnCars]

Thanks!

[@1970boggy]

Love that ! Mrs Boggy your bonus please

[@jaldeborgh]

One of your best reviews in a long time. I think your comments on acceleration and the manual transmission are highly relevant. All the sub 3 second 0-60 cars are some type of automatic or paddle shift transmissions. Making any car that is close to 3 seconds 0-60 with a manual shift lever is truly impressive. The linear delivery of power is also a function of the supercharger, which is rare. The cars that give you the feeling of thrust are all turbocharged. As for price, The GT2RS is pushing $340K in the US, the lesson being the target market for an ultimate version of any exotic car is usually price inelastic, meaning that Lotus is actually being smart in their pricing model for the Exige family.

[@JayEmmOnCars]

Thankyou John

[@techfreaks4134]

struggling to believe those figures. Have you seen the 350 compared to the komotec 460? the figures to 60 are on par , only after 80mph does the 460 pull away

[@jaldeborgh]

Makes sense the 430 wouldn’t pull away until above 60mph. Below that speed the issue getting the power to the road without losing traction and having the anti-slip intervene and affecting times. Once the car is into 3rd or 4th the car can maintain traction under max throttle so the horsepower comes into play. In any case the 430 is a really fast car, I wish it was available in the States.

[@techfreaks4134]

John Aldeborgh Yeah exactly, so struggling to see how it would get to 60 in low 3's, especially without lsd. Anyways like u said, still a great car. But maybe if u can't get it in the states, grab 350 and komotec it and change a few panels.

[@rickstaricksta8512]

Simply Awesome.

[@TenorCantusFirmus]

This probably is my favourite car ever. Surely on the podium with the F40 and the F1, picking an exact order would be difficult, but my personal podium would very likely cunsist of those three.

[@threezerol944t]

Great vid!!!! I wish it would be imported to USA.

[@PasikoOriginal]

I loaned this car for 2 months and it’s stamina handling acceleration and quality was *INSANE*

[@SoulTouchMusic93]

You can do that? How? Mind to offer some details?

[@asomind]

Can't start a car video with : "THISSS" It's trademarked.

[@pineapplepizza5733]

xD, doug sure won't come after him, he isn't apple

[@pancakelens75]

So awesome.... ....the Esprit is my favorite car I’ve EVER driven(including Ferrari’s EASILY!)

[@davidkennedy1077]

What an awesome car!!! Possibly a little on the expensive side, not entirely sure it's worth 2 of the lower models though. Proper mental car!!!

[@TheBishop12]

That purple-burnt aged Titanium exhaust is like cherry on top.

[@grandlotus1]

Proud to own and (sometimes) drive a Lotus. I share your perspective. Who can afford a track car? The question is, is it steetable?

[@nealabarth]

Seen this down at B&C, absolutely gorgeous! Unfortunately out of my price range.

[@Saif0412]

This is up there with the GT3 RS, cracking fast, weapon of a car. 👌

[@AliveGhost13]

More people should buy these. Fast, heavily "aero'd", and best of all it has a stick with 3 pedals!!

[@MikeSmith-rd9fi]

Nice video sir.

[@JayEmmOnCars]

Thanks!

[@dylan4972]

I cant afford it so I'm building an MR2 with a 2GR turbo. But wow I would love an Exige 430!!

[@jcmusco]

Sounds awesome and I bet better in the driver seat.

[@aaguirre123]

Double thumbs up.

[@toastedbread3287]

_Insane_

[@robertwoodliff2536]

Great test....brill shirt.

[@mansfield1971]

'Riot of colour' were you referring to your shirt James ? 😀 Looks a cracking car, would be concerned to drop £100k on one when the sport 350 sounds like 99% of the experience.

[@JayEmmOnCars]

350 is a stunning car still

[@mansfield1971]

JayEmm on Cars mmm 350 sport in Liquid yellow 😁

[@efrenrivera9716]

Dream Car

[@stevewilliams9338]

Looks and sounds amazing. I have the original 2012 Exige V6 with 345BHP, and believe me that is still a devestatingly quick car, and basically a junior supercar, so to pay 100k for the 430...hmmm. Theres a dilemma. If I had the money to be perfectly honest I would get one, but you are only getting a small increase in performance for a hell of alot more money

[@andrewthornley8910]

Ill get one before I die !!

[@mrdayumfine109]

Serious Noble M12 GTO vibes from this..

[@spainter1985]

Lotus are totally smashing it at the moment. It's a shame they're so often overlooked. What a noise under hard acceleration! It has to be said it did however look a little out of it's depth along that bumpy B-road, or perhaps that's just how you portrayed it for being so urgent and alert?

[@JayEmmOnCars]

It was not particularly comfortable but that was an extremely bumpy road

[@MikeSmith-rd9fi]

How much worse is the ride comfort than an evora? I am thinking of swapping my evora for one as the evora gets so little use.

[@carllynch8798]

Stunning car ! Where is that Lotus showroom ?

[@JayEmmOnCars]

West Horsley, Surrey

[@carllynch8798]

JayEmm on Cars cool might have to pop along there and have a look.

[@kimparedes1920]

You can always do a turbo/compressor kswap on an older exige and get the same performance with way less weight... as someone said... don't add me power, reduce weight. Car looks astonishing that is undeniable, 1100 kg is still light as hell but i guess reducing 200 kg while keeping 400hp would be WAY better. Kswaps are fairly reliable, and with minimal forging like pistons and rods 450hp are really easy to achieve.

[@JonnyGTi180]

Crazy. Thing is though, it's the ultimate enthusiasts car that enthusiasts (mostly) cant afford. Which is a real shame. Even used elise prices are going mad atm

[@JayEmmOnCars]

Elises have always held their money very well

[@chumaxa]

Makes a different bip when you indicate ? You mean just make a bip which a massive improvement !! Worth the cost ah !

[@billelcherouat3392]

wow 3 times it s pure machine I want one very bad one day it s an animal

[@ImBarryScottCSS]

I was driving my 111S today, came home and saw this video and got to thinking... This car has a power to weight ratio of 407 bhp/tonne, compared to the 194 bhp/tonne of mine... MORE than double. How the hell do you drive this car without immediately going to jail? It's an absolutely lovely thing and the want is real but I do wonder if it's a little bit OTT. Anyway I haven't even watched the video yet so I'll find out.

[@joncommons1349]

Hi Jay Emm any chance of coming down to the more bargain bucket end of the lotus range by providing a good review of the base Elise or Sprint version (134bhp version) to show how they compare against the more exotic lotus products for driving thrills..? Loving the reviews by the way.. PS any chance of that Elise k20 review??

[@JayEmmOnCars]

I have been trying to review a 1.6 Elise for ages but they are very hard to find! K20 review will be happening once the weather improves

[@joncommons1349]

JayEmm on Cars - thanks really looking forward to it.. it may be worth touching base with Maidstone sports cars around the conversion process.. just a thought??!

[@capitaljbcomics3738]

wow is all i got to say

[@gpn854]

I wish I could buy that car here in America .

[@taketheredpill1452]

this guy needs a race track

[@JayEmmOnCars]

Yes please.

[@scottsmith6571]

Can u lic it in usa

[@dair919]

If you havent already done so. Might it be possible to provide details between the 350 and 380 (non cup)?

[@JayEmmOnCars]

Check out my 380 review, that might help

[@AhmadAlAjeel]

I drive an RS3 as a daily..but i need a weekend car/track day car....Iv been contemplating between this exige cup 430 and the upcoming 718 cayman GT4, and the even the GT3.. but i cant decide..suggestions.

[@JayEmmOnCars]

Lotus is better for track and occasions, just needs the exhaust sorting (I can help)

[@_SKDK_]

I wish you could get this version of the car with the glass rear instead. The front hood/cowl looks good but I don't like the idea of reduced visibility and not being able to see that beast in the back

[@stacydalebarendse3978]

My dream car! Read this car made the DOT list to be on public roads in the US this year!....but, cannot be driven more than 2500 miles a year on public roads. Can you confirm this?

[@user-si4zw1jk2e]

와 한국어 자막 대박 잘보고 갑니다

[@mikepaul396]

Love the - “crack for petroheads”

[@luismeier9506]

This car is so freaking beautiful. Such a beast. Would you call it a supercar killer or do you think it is already a supercar?

[@JayEmmOnCars]

Supercar killer. I don't think any modern supercar would dare to be this raw. Just look at a LaFerrari compared to an Enzo, or F50 - basically a luxury car in comparison!

[@luismeier9506]

JayEmm on Cars yes you are right and i think this is one of the best things about lotus they basically dont give a damn about what the other manufactures are doing. I love it

[@swpdisciple]

Sorry for the stupid question but what is the hp rating on the Cup 430?

[@JayEmmOnCars]

It is indeed 430HP

[@fd3s64]

Hi Jay! Love your videos :) I have a question though, how tall and how much do you weigh? Im 6'4 and 210lbs. Longer legs than torso. Did you have the chair furthest back? Do you think I would fit in any other lotus except evora?

[@JayEmmOnCars]

You might fit in an Elise/Exige but it would be tight. Taller guys have to bolt the seat direct to the floor. Weight is rarely an issue

[@fd3s64]

JayEmm on Cars Ok! What about an RX7? Have you driven one with bucket seats? People say the original seats are bad for tall people.

[@JayEmmOnCars]

I drove an RX7 with stock seats and the owner was tall, he had a special wheel on it to help him sit in the right position. Can't remember exactly what he did to it - check the video out if you havent seen it yet

[@fd3s64]

JayEmm on Cars I watched it and you did an awesome job on the video! I'm gonna try and test sit in a Rx7 during the summer if I can find anybody willing hehe. Do you remember how tall he was?

[@cib2413]

Goofy Xz I modified my RX-7 seat rails to push them back an extra 1.5 inches so that I could fit more comfortably and installed a quick release hub for my steering wheel to bring the wheel closer and increase my leg room as in the stock position the bottom of the steering wheel was too close to my knees. I am 6'2.5". The FD is even easier to sit in with the right bucket seat bolted to the floor.

[@joelsmith9311]

“It’s not as fast as I thought it might be...” “Jesus Christ I can’t use more than half throttle!” 😂 A few contradictions in there James BUT I love how passionate you are about the Lotus marque and the driving experience they deliver. Always special, just these days they’re a bit too pricey.

[@Skidfreaks_southeast]

Hey can you please do a car review of the Citroen c2 VTS or the VTR please?

[@JayEmmOnCars]

If I can I will!

[@garymurraya]

hi, i guessing for this or sport 380 or which ever exige, its not possible to simply alter ride height as for me it does look low at the front and to enter into underground parkings I simply dont think it would work for me as it is which is a big shame! What do you think comparing an elise cup 250 and an exige 350-380? elise feels sportier due to size..smaller, but exige more so as far more power.... hard to get a really good idea from a normal test drive... :(

[@JayEmmOnCars]

They are both really great cars, depends what your needs are

[@garymurraya]

ok let me rephrase - did you enjoy driving the elise cup 250 or exige 380 more? my needs are a fun car that does not feel wide on narrow roads as i live in barelona and the roads are much narrower here. i have a 718 and that feels wide and i think the exige is the same width is reality

[@JayEmmOnCars]

gary murray I loved driving the Elise, the Exige is a more difficult and extreme car to get the best from. I think in Barcelona you would appreciate the Elise. It is more of a Parcmotor Castelolli car than a Circuit de Catalunya

[@n0iryt944]

Fav exige so far it has its potential. What is the price for it? And how much is the difference between the two 350 and this?

[@JayEmmOnCars]

On road, performance is similar as both are very fast. There is a big difference on track. Price of this one is £100,000

[@n0iryt944]

JayEmm on Cars sounds like a fair price for it. I think that this is in my list of things to buy

[@comptegoogle511]

On a cager's scale that's a cool car, but for a fith of the price you would have twice the power to weight ratio with a Yamaha R1 race bike. As for the adrenaline rush, I didn't even began to talk about taking a curve with your knee touching the road.

[@JayEmmOnCars]

This is true, but bikes are quite a different thing

[@Gibbo205]

Surely the 410 is the sweet spot at 65-75k, they have the same Nitron suspension, some 410's have a lot of the carbon bells and whistles too and the difference between a 410 and 430 on power delivery is probably the same difference as having 1 or 2 weetabix for breakfast. As such a newer 410 for around 70k is probably the better buy, same suspension, same weight more or less and if that 20HP is a must a £1500 Komotec remap gets you the 430 horses. But having passed 430 cups on track in my 410 that straight line difference seems negligible and if you want the downforce the bigger wing is easily retrofitted. :) But agreed the driving experience of any Exige is sensational !

[@JayEmmOnCars]

I think at the time the 410 may have not been released, or only just come out. Your assessment is accurate though

[@xKiLLzZx1]

Is an Exige 350 cheaper in maintenance than a GTR?? Anyone please tell me, thank you!

[@JayEmmOnCars]

Yes

[@shanehnorman]

I'm surprised at the lack of suspension and road noise, considering it has no sound-deadening. Seems a very 'road-able' rocket.

[@JayEmmOnCars]

Yeah with carpets and sound insulation its reasonably decent

[@APerson-tp5me]

lol thats the lotus garage i got my elise from

[@Skidfreaks_southeast]

Can you please do a car review of the Evora GT 430 semi-automatic ?

[@JayEmmOnCars]

If I knew someone with one I would but I don't know where to look for that!

[@jamesrichards5601]

The sound is worth £58k alone haha

[@future62]

Great review. I just can't shake the notion of having 1 car to do it all, no matter what money I have, as I just don't have the time to really enjoy something like this. Which is why, to me, a 911 Carrera is the best way to spend this kind of money. I don't see the point in buying a car designed to use downforce that can't be driven at downforce inducing speed.

[@JayEmmOnCars]

An Evora would also suit you well then

[@future62]

JayEmm on Cars They are too expensive for me

[@adamkelsall3942]

Is there a reliable fix for it being too noisy on most UK track days? Donington is quite strict these days. Can’t justify a £100k Lotus track focussed car that won’t be allowed on track. Huge oversight from Lotus.

[@JayEmmOnCars]

Plenty of aftermarket back boxes that will comply with noise limits

[@adamkelsall3942]

JayEmm on Cars noise aside it’s s wonderful machine. Surely Lotus will make one last final version of this S3 Exige platform before they call it a day and move on. I’d love one

[@josefnirschl1574]

complete crazy, thanks Jesus for this cars

[@happy-mq6rt]

Korean sub ♡

[@pragmatist165]

Oh oh oh .. Can I buy this rip roaring Lotus Exige in Australia? Can I just suggest that if they do tweak this, and I am not suggesting that at all, but can they call the next one The Lotus Exige RAPTOR. I say this not only because I love military jet fighters, but I love love love the F-22 Raptor which has a top speed of.. are you ready?? 2410 kph and a cruising speed of 1963 kph .. wheeeee

[@Simonofcalifornia]

Should’ve showed how you got into this masterpiece.

[@JayEmmOnCars]

Slick and smooth, like the wounded gazelle. For more info check my "Fat Guy's Guide To Getting In An Elise"

[@Simonofcalifornia]

JayEmm on Cars thanks for the link. I always backed out of my Elise by pushing against the hand brake. Thanks for showing the correct method.

[@und13s]

Great package. But it really needed to be tested on some fast, smooth, sweeping bends and roads or track. I wont be rushing out to trade in the 2ZZ turbo Exige with around the same power to weight.

[@leokal457]

Really nice Video! But i think your Interior-Parts would profit from a little less your face and and a little bit more interior. Keep on the good work!

[@JayEmmOnCars]

I am experimenting with different angles, the Exige is difficult because the interior is tiny! Hence the big face compared to my other videos

[@MarkCoopersisqocracker]

Aside from finding any where to place the camera at all! I'm still driving the shit out of my 07 Exige S and it has a few upgrades. Always a good time on the mountain roads! :-)

[@JeffreyOsb]

I hate when people say the fans "cool" things, what they actually do is assist in heat removal/venting. That technically creates lower temperatures but it certainly isn't them "cooling" the engine.

[@SunWindWave]

Stunning car, & truly jealous but no way did that road do the car any favours. You need an open flowing b-road like in sunny Suffolk where you can get into a grove. Ha-ha! Regards.

[@JayEmmOnCars]

Wish I could have driven it around my own roads, but it was simply not possible

[@SunWindWave]

fully understand. It's good to experience these cars all the same. Regards.

[@theleithtoe]

Is it still only a years warranty with the cup variants? £100k?

[@JayEmmOnCars]

Yes that's correct only one year on cup cars. It is pretty comprehensive though, although I think it should have been the full 3 years myself.

[@theleithtoe]

JayEmm on Cars I used to work in a Lotus dealership. Left last August. Miss driving them!

[@MrElnuno]

Where do you drive a car like this other than the track? Very limited use-case for most people in my opinion. GT3 for me - works on the road, works on the track, semi-practicle for mundane duties.

[@JayEmmOnCars]

The roads I was using are particularly bad. I highly recommend an Evora for a smoother experience

[@MarkCoopersisqocracker]

If you live in an area where there are elevation changes and twisty roads, then you don't ask such questions, you're out enjoying those locations. If you don't live near one of those locations, I highly suggest moving to one! I enjoy it so much I will no longer live in any other area that doesn't support my driving habit! Goes for my Exige or my Ninja thank you. :-)

[@chrisogrady28]

8:13 😂😂😂

[@12345678bor87654321]

In my mind the best value for money is the 390 Final Edition, I was going to buy a 350 and changed my mind and bought the 390. Very impressive

[@hipasozol]

Hey dude! I made a Korean subtitle for this video. Can you apply it?

[@JayEmmOnCars]

Sure! Not sure how but I can try

[@hipasozol]

Made it! Thanks a lot.

[@left_ventricle]

엌ㅋㅋ 한국어 자막 감사합니다. 본인은 영국영어가 익숙한지라 자막 만들 생각은 못하고 봤는데 이제 친구들에게 영상 추천 가능하겠군요.. 드디어 ㅠㅠ 2년 늦었지만 감사합니다!

[@left_ventricle]

저 혹시 괜찮으시다면 제가 자막에서 수정하고 싶은 부분을 정리해서 메일로 보내드려도 될까요? 굉장히 전달력 있게 잘 번역하셔서 약간 오류가 있는 부분이 더더욱 아쉽습니다. 의역이라는 부분이 너무 잘 되어 있어서 더욱 그렇습니다 ㅠㅠ 그 부분들만 수정하면 정말 완벽한 자막이 될 것 같아요!!

[@damionbacchus3131]

if i had this i carvon fibre the wheels and the rest of the body, carbon fibre roll cage